Korean Shamanism [History of Korea]

#korea #shamanism #koreanhistory

Today, we’ll take a look at Korean shamanism, called musok 무속신앙 or mugyo 무교. Korean shamanism is often ignored when talking about Korean culture and the behaviour of its people. Theres’s usually more of a focus on Confucianism and Buddhism and more recently, Christianity. But, like trying to understand Western culture without the influence of Christianity, it would be erroneous to not discuss the influence of shamanism on Korean society.

While shamanism isn’t as popular nowadays as it once was, it still plays an important role in how decisions are taken either following a ritual (a gut 굿) or after a fortune reading (saju 사주). Female shamans, mudang (무당), are seen by some as the keepers of Korean culture which can be seen in their clothing and dances as well as heard in their songs (muga 무가) and stories.

First, we will look at the history of shamanism in Korea from Gojoseon 고조선, thru Goguryeo 고구려, Silla 신라, Goryeo 고려 and Joseon 조선 until modern times.

Second, we will try to answer the question: What is Korean shamanism? Simply put, Korean shamanism consists of the worship of gods 신, ancestors 조상 and spirits 정령 found in objects, places and living things. I will explore these elements more in depth.

Third, we will look at the gods and spirits that are worshipped.

Fourth, we'll introduce the two types of shamans (gangsinmu 강신무, seseupmu 세습무), their differences and in which regions of Korea they are found.

Fifth, we’ll take a closer look at the shamanic ritual itself, the gut 굿, its different stages and purposes.

Finally, I’ll recount some popular shamanic myths like the story of Princess Bari 바리 공주, the origin myth of Chobong bon-puri 초공 본 풀이, the tale of princess Gongsim 공심 and the myth of Dangun 당군.

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???? Korean History Playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDpgNb683blwQYdvZu6TlDq4ua3W4Olew

???? Recommended viewings:

The Wailing 국성 (2016). Dir.: Na Hong-jin. Starring: Kwak Do-won, Hwang Jung-min, Chun Woo-hee, Jun Kunimura

????Recommended readings:
The History and Structure of Korean Shamanism by Jeong-il Moon, Yonsei University Press, 2012, 557p.

Gut Korean Shamanic Ritual Songs Calling Spirits by Kim Soo-nam, Youlhwadang Publisher, 2005, 287p.

Features some footage courtesy of K-Tapes https://www.youtube.com/c/KTapes

Features some artwork courtesy of https://www.tashashealthyscrapbook.com
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*Other figures and topics explored in this video: Hwanin 환인, Hwanung 환웅, Samseonggak 삼성각, Chilseong 칠성, Dokseong 독성, Palgwanhoe 팔관회, Yeondeunghoe 연등회, Gwanghaegun 광해군, Yeonsangun 연산군, Sejong-Sillok 세종실록, veritable records of the Joseon dynasty 조선왕조실록, Empress Myeongseong 명성황후, Mudang Naeryeok 무당내력, mishin tapa undong 미신 타파 운동, baksu 박수, Hanji 한지, The Buddhas of the Three Worlds Sambul 삼불, obang saek 오방색, Hogu Pyeolseong 호구별성, obang sinjang 오방신장, sinbyeong 신병, naerim-gut 내림굿, shimbang 심방, mengdu 맹두, bujeong 부정굿, cheongbae 청배무가, gochuk 고축, shintak 신탁, oshin 오신무, songshin 송신, Bok 복(福), saryeong-gut 사령제, jaesu-gut 재수굿, shin-gut 신굿
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0:00 Korean Shamanism Intro
1:40 History of Shamanism
15:25 What is Korean Shamanism?
20:27 Gods & Spirits
24:54 Types of Shamans
29:48 The Ritual (Gut)
35:05 Purpose of Rituals
36:46 Myths